Writing for Fun
January 2017
Ice Cold - Diane Silverston
Even as a child Rudolph hadn’t really been happy. His life had been very regulated and in no way relaxed. Staying with his paternal grandparents Randolph and Margaret at the Palace in the remote forests of Germany, with every aspect of life organised and dictated by protocol. Holidays with his maternal grandparents, David and Morwenna, on the edge of the vast lake in Austria, was a cold comfortless experience. Even at home in the Summer Palace with his parents Robert and Isabella, was not a comfortable place. Very little love or affection was shown or given by any of his family.
He was an only child who had to be schooled to prepare him for a future as a King of a German state. His only companions were courtiers, who knew the rules and abided by them. These companions and his tutors were chosen by his Grandfather Randolph, and were answerable to him. It was a lonely and rather bleak upbringing for Rudolph. His only freedom was on the occasions he was allowed to ride his horses or sail his boat. Even then he had to take courtiers with him as bodyguards. He found it hard to just be himself. Everything he did, saw or said was organised by advisors who were under orders from King Randolph. If ever he questioned the rules or how his life was organised he would be told firmly that this was how it always was and would be, not to argue but accept it. His grandfather’s would accept no discussion and treated his requests with disdain. Margaret would get annoyed and her green eyes would flash with anger, Morwenna would just stare straight through him with her ice blue eyes. There was no help or reasoning from them. Even his companions ignored his comments.
So his life continued until one day when he was 17, he managed to slip out of his parents palace without being seen and with none of his usual retinue. He was on his favourite horse riding through the nearby woods when he came across a young girl collecting branches, she seemed to be having some difficulties and Rudolph stopped to help her.
Soon they were walking along talking to each other, naturally, as old friends. She lived with her family at the edge of the woods and they soon reached her home. Rudolph left her and rode on. She had no idea who he was and that pleased him.
Some days later the same thing happened. This time they told each other their names and about their life. Rudolph still kept quiet about his real name. Rebecca’s life was so different to Rudolph’s, poorer in money and possessions but richer in love and affection. They continued to meet secretly, found that they had things in common. They grew fond of each other. Rudolph realised there was another way to live, a happier way. He gave Rebecca a locket as a token.
Suddenly their idyllic time was changed. One of the courtiers had followed Rudolph and seen them together and reported back to Robert and Isabella. Rudolph was called in front of his mother, who demanded to know the truth. On hearing Rudolph’s reply she exclaimed in horror and stared at him saying with an icy cold voice that he must be mad. He would be told who he could meet and marry and it would not be a beggar from the woods. Nothing Rudolph said could calm her down. She demanded that he would never meet this girl again. Rudolph was immediately put under house arrest and not allowed anywhere on his own. His grandfather Randolph decreed he should be sent away to study and prepare for his future.
So at the age of 18 Rudolph was sent from home to England with a retinue of advisors. He was not even able to let Rebecca know what had happened.
Whilst he was away his Grandfather sent news that both his parents had been killed in a carriage accident. His grandmother Morwenna died a year after.
On his return in 1904 he went to stay with his paternal grandparents, fearful of what his life would become. He knew that a marriage was to be arranged for him, to an unknown Princess from a nearby German state. Before this could happen both Margaret and David died within months of each other. There would have to be a period of mourning, so King Randolph allowed Rudolph to return to the Summer Palace to live.
As soon as he could he rode through the woods to find Rebecca, but of her house there was no sign and nobody knew anything about her. Rudolph returned home sad and with a feeling of icy cold dread. Once again his life was going to be lonely and without love.